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In the News... New Lake-Sumter Community College Program Prepares Child Care Providers to Earn Association Credentials LEESBURG - A Child Development Associate (CDA) is a child care provider who has successfully completed a CDA assessment and awarded the CDA Credential. Lake-Sumter Community College will prepare students to complete this process starting March first, on its Sumter Campus. Classes continue through May 26, meeting Mondays, from 3:35 until 6:45 pm; Wednesdays, from 4 until 8 pm; and four Saturdays (2/21, 3/6, 3/13 & 4/3), from 8 am until 2 pm. Cost of the course is $345. Students working in a Sumter County School Readiness Program or a Sumter County child care facility can be reimbursed for half of the tuition upon completion of the program. To enroll call 568-0001 or 352-365-3556. The CDA course work will demonstrate competence in the candidates ability to meet the specific needs of children by working with parents and other adults to nurture childrens physical, social, emotional and intellectual growth within a child-development environment. Credentials are not awarded just for the successful completion of the course, however. They are also based on the candidates ability to demonstrate competence during the assessment process. Unlike many evaluation systems that emphasize knowledge only, the CDA assessment system emphasizes skill-based performance with children and families in real-life work settings. Who is required to have the Credential? Legislation passed in 1999, requires all child care and education program directors and administrators, as of January 1, 2004, to have the Florida Administrators Credential, as part of the minimum licensing standard. The Credential will also be required for directors and administrators who are primarily responsible for the day-to-day operation, supervision and administration of a child care center. A minimum of one person at each site must have the Credential. CDA application requirements are: (1) at least 18 years old, (2) able to speak, read and write well enough to fulfill the responsibilities of a CDA candidate, (3) sign a statement of ethical conduct, (4) be observed as a lead caregiver, (5) have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED, (6) meet other requirements based on the type of CDA program entered, and (7) have no felony charges related to any type of child abuse or neglect. |
